The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-04-05

ror so great after wandering about for four or
five days that he gladly gave himself up to the
war party
The soldier was a deserter, and belonged. I
think, to tbs Twenty second Infantry. He had
deserted with four others, intending to strike for
some point which have forgotten. but which
was five times as far away as they had figured
on They became separated in storm, and this
man had wandered about for days and was
almost starved to death. Neither of the prison
ers had any fear OF the Indians when first
brought in, as they were kindly treated and re-
ceived big supper. There was q council on
them that evening, and it was decided that one
should die the next day and the other the day
after No prisoners had been taken for some
time, and the capture of these event to
be celebrated. As my predictions had again
been verified I elevated another peg. and
was treated with ali the consideration and re-
spect accorded to a chief.
About 10 o'clock of the morning after the cap
ture preparations were made for the torture OF
Miller. l went to HIM early III the morning,
knowing what was to take place, and advised
him to brace himself for the awful ordeal There
was no escape from it, and the more bravely he
bore himself the sooner some merciful hand
would put an end to his sufferings He was at
first overcome by terror, and sat for long time
without speaking Then he wept like child for
a few minutes. and had begun to look upon
him as q craven, when he braced right up and
said:
.'There-it is over, and have but one pur-
pose; that is to die game man. know what
these brutes are, and tell you I'm going to cut
short their fun"
When the Indians were ready they formed in
double line, and the prisoner was brought out to
run the gauntlet Only the warriors and the
larger boys were allowed in the lines, and each
armed himself he pleased, providing it was
not with deadly weapon.
The majority had sticks three or four feet
long, and capable of giving heavy blows. 1t
was bright, clear day, and when Miller was
hrOU tn hn haa IF <ho 1inoc hoA rov h,vn-
self up for last look around. Poor fellow!
Earth had never seemed so beautiful to him
before He was told by signs that if he made
the rund down and back he would be set free,
but he knew better than that He very
pale, but his nerves were under wonderful con-
troll stood to side, at the head of the
column, and as his lashings were cast off he
nodded goodbye to me- Then he inflated his
lungs swung his arms about rubbed his hips
and knees, and seemed to be making ready fer
the race. He had not vet received the signal to
go when he made panther like spring at one of
the warriors, twisted the knife from his belt
and, with yell of defiance, darted down among
the lodges and took possession of one about the
center of the village He speedily closed the
opening. and there he was, a prisoner in the
midst of the village, yet holding the village at
bay. l expected to see a rush of warriors, but
there was none There was keg of powder in
the lodge. together with loaded firearms, and
the Indians were fearful of an explosion. They
fell back after the first rush, and began to plan
as to how they could get him out. It would not
do to fire upon him with rifles. as bullet might
explode the key, and if he was wounded with
arrow he might explode it in revenge.
At the end of half an hour was appealed to,
and walked down to within ten PAGES of the
lodge. called out that 1 was coming, and then
boldly walked forward and entered it. / was
going to advise Miller to commit suicide. but
had come too late. He was then lying dead,
with his throat cut from ear to ear. 1t WAS
| horrible, but merciful in comparison with the
suffering laid out for him by the savages.
| AS the Indians had been disappointed in
their fun with prisoner, the other was
| called for, and after consultation it was
| agreed that he should be brought out, had
| expected this. and had therefore proceeded TO
| his lodge as / found the hunter dead.
| The soldier had made himself believe that the
| Indians would not harm him, and had not
| known of the hunter being taken out. When
| carried him the news, and warned him to pre-
| pare for torture and death. he was for three
| four minutes absolutely dumb with terror. His
! face was awful sight to behold. His eyes
| opened to their widest extent, and were as blank
of expression rs pieces of chalk. His color was
| blue white, his lips blue, and he opened his
mouth and gasped for breath like one suffoca-
ting could not get him to speak a word. and
it was some minutes after the Indians took him
out that he found his speech. Then he showed
himself veritable craven. He begged and i'm
| piored: he got down and kissed their feet; he
offered to turn renegade and help them slay his
| own race; he wept and sobbed like girl. 1t is
| horrible thing to face death and know
| that ones minutes are numbered, but
| most men die respectfully in the presence of a
foe. The soldiers actions brought ridicule and
! contempt upon his head. He was turned over
to the squaws and bows, and, armed with switch
es. they set upon him and gave him a terrible
whipping. He crept and crawled to them as
well, and when it was seen that he had no
courage, he was tied to stake, and five or six
warriors took their rifles and shot charges of
| powder into his body At the first discharge he
uttered a horrible scream. but after that was
silent He looked fixedly, but blankly, in one
direction, his mouth open aud his tongue show
ing, and, though his body jerked and quivered.
| l believe the man had lost the sense Of feeling.
When the Indians had tired of this sport they
stabbed him in score of places with their
knives. making painful but not mortal wounds.
He groaned once twice, but did not call out.
When they were ready to build fire around
him I went closer and was satisfied that he
was dead, although he yet maintained his feet,
and his eyes were wide open. There was not a
cringe as the flames touched his flesh, and after
few minutes the disguised and disappoint ted
savaces kicked the brands away and left the
body to be hacked and mutilated by the squaws
and boys, who were hoveringhear like so many
vultures